Thursday, December 29, 2011

The New York City Minute Photo of the Year: The Marathon of Dan Cnossen

Navy Seal Lt. Dan Cnossen stepped on an IED in Afghanistan on September 8, 2009 and lost both of his legs. On November 6, 2011 Dan Cnossen crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon in 2:38:00. There were more than 40,000 stories in the New York City Marathon. Dan Cnossen's was one of the most inspiring.

From Charles Baudelaire to Dylan Thomas most poets are associated with their favorite libation. Emily Dickinson is associated with her favorite kitchen treats. One of America's most celebrated poets wielded a rolling pin as well as a pen. Her recipe for Indian bread (bannock) won second prize at the Amherst, Massachusetts Annual Cattle Show in 1856.

Friday, December 16, 2011

New York lays claim to most everything and Christmas is no exception. From Santa Claus himself to eight tiny reindeer you wouldn't be noggin' if not for New York.

Christmas is so hip that St. Nick himself is from Chelsea. Clement Clarke Moore's Manhattan spread was named Chelsea and he developed the neighborhood that later became the hipster haven Chelsea. Where else would you expect to find characters named Dasher, Prancer, Donner, Blitzen, Comet and Cupid?

I’m an acupuncturist, and while I actually enjoy my
job, if I had to choose between treating patients and going surfing (and
making a living wasn’t an issue), surfing would win every time.
I guess what I’m getting at is I’ve never been an acupuncturist that
is a “champion for the cause.” I don’t go to health fares or make
presentations about how great Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is. I
also don’t intend this blog to be a forum entirely about it either (but I
will draw from my experience).

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

We who are here present thank the Great Spirit that we are here
to praise Him.
We thank Him that He has created men and women, and ordered
that these beings shall always be living to multiply the earth.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Nikky Finney has won the 2011 National Book Award for Poetry. In a ceremony last night in New York City, Nikky Finney beat out a stellar group of finalists to claim the National Book Award for her fourth volume of poetry - Head Off & Split.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

The Canada Council for the Arts today announced the winners of the 75th Governor General’s Literary Awards, worth $25,000 each. Poets Phil Hall and Louise Dupré won the Poetry Award in their respective languages.

After being suddenly downsized from a career in the corporate telecom industry, Sue Kenney decided to walk 780 kilometers on a medieval pilgrimage route in Spain known as the Camino de Santiago do Compostela. She was on a quest to find more purpose in life.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

The only straight line in Central Park is formally known as Literary Walk or The Mall. Most people know it as Writers' Walk. It is a place where dreams are imagined and enacted. Vendors line its' sides selling poetic chapbooks, photos of New York City, of John Lennon in his iconic New York City t-shirt and kitsch such as fridge magnets. Standing on guard at Writers' Walk are statues of William Shakespeare, Robert Burns, Walter Scott and the forgotten Fitz-Green Halleck.

hooded sweater pulled deep in my face, heavy
space falls on me with galaxies exploding
in the black part of my eye, pacing dirt-dipped
streets for fresh air, care-less thoughts, search for
the grit, feel like shit and zero fits together 2day — heavily
blurry, i'm too weary to type these lines, but they
shout, form riots in my mind, resurrections from
what i thought was long dead, i freeze, bind

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

James Arthur Baldwin was inducted into the American Poets' Corner on November 6, 2011 becoming the 44th inductee. While it is true that Baldwin wrote one volume of poetry -- Jimmy's Blues -- he is better known as an essayist in the tradition of Thoreau and Emerson. Baldwin's essays reached novel length.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Remember, remember, the 5th of NovemberThe Gunpowder
Treason and plot;I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,'Twas his intent.
To blow up the King and the Parliament.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Día de los Muertos isn't a time to mourn. It is a time to celebrate life after death. On November 1st - All Saints Day - it is the children who are remembered. On Novemeber 2nd - All Souls Day - it is the life of departed adults that is revived in the heart and minds of family, friends and loved ones. Spend two minutes with Teresa Puente, listening to the soul of Mexico while the images of Dia de los Muertos dance before your eyes.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

More Memorial Day than Halloween, Día de los Muertos brings the dead back to life in the early days of November through remembrance and rituals passed down from generation to generation. The Days also afford a lighthearted poke at the upper classes.

For many small Mexican towns, like Barra de Navidad, there are no extravagant parades or painted faces. What you will find are handmade altars with offrendas placed in front of homes remembering those who came before.

Friday, October 28, 2011

When the world's most famous sonnet was written in 1883 it barely caused a ripple. When it's author died in 1887 it wasn't even mentioned in her obituary. Today, most everyone can recite at least a line.